Extreme dry spell: Old graves and the gate of the cemetery in Kampung Mong Gajah at Pedu lake have resurfaced due to a heatwave affecting the northern states. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
ALOR SETAR: Residents of villages in the Pedu area were relocated in 1969 to make way for the man-made lake but they left behind a few graves that have become visible as the water level at Tasik Pedu drops precipitously.
Agrotourism entrepreneur Amir Wahab, 52, said there were at least three villages at the site of Tasik Pedu before the dam was constructed.
“They were Kampung Mong Gajah, Kampung Pokka and Kampung Jeram Tok Tekai,” he said, adding that all the villagers were relocated to either Kuala Nerang or Sik.
Residents said the biggest village in the largest water reservoir in Kedah – Tasik Pedu – was known as Kampung Mong Gajah.
According to folklore, the phrase “Mong Gajah” is from a local dialect, and it means gajah minum (elephant drinks), and during every prolonged drought, the submerged old graves would reappear.
Amir said some, but not all, of the graves were relocated, as some villagers wanted the graves of their loved ones to remain there.
“In 2020, a group of villagers conducted tahlil prayers at the site during the drought,” he said.
Amir, who has been in the business since 1996, said the extreme hot season has also affected his business.
“The drought has caused my business to drop by about 40%. Many tourism agents skip bringing their clients over here because of the weather,” he said.
Covering an area of about 75sq km, Tasik Pedu has a maximum depth of around 45m, and is primarily used by farmers for irrigation. The lake is also a popular spot for fishing and recreational activities.
Universiti Sains Malaysia family medicine specialist Dr Mastura Mohd Sopian said the water from Tasik Pedu is safe to drink as it goes through several processes before reaching consumers.
“Water authorities like Sada (Syarikat Air Darul Aman) have mechanisms such as water treatment plants to process and clean up the water,” she said.
